Here’s the news, via press release:

State Rep. Ryan Winkler (DFL – Golden Valley) will introduce legislation during the coming special session that would create a constitutional amendment to prevent appropriation bonds from being used to balance budget deficits. This legislation would not apply to the current budget framework, which reportedly will use $1.4 billion in borrowing and shifts. However, Winkler said it would prevent this irresponsible budget practice from being used in the future.

“We are constitutionally required to balance our budget every two years - that’s the right thing to do,” said Winkler. “Borrowing from our future revenues is simply using a loophole to skirt our constitutional responsibility and we should never do it again.”

For years now, Minnesota has been using shifts, accounting tricks, and the like to make our budget appear balanced on paper. In reality, we’re going deeper and deeper into debt, despite the constitutional requirement that we have a balanced budget. It’s about time someone stood up for responsible budgeting.

I imagine Winkler will get a lot of support for this amendment, although it may be better suited to the next proper session, rather than what I imagine will be a very brief special session. I know that DFLers are fed up with the endless budget gimmicks. And despite their leadership’s irresponsible budget proposal in this biennium, I know many of the Republican rank and file are fed up, too.

It’s time for Minnesota to get its act together. Our legislators need to have the courage to make tough choices. And if the people of Minnesota need to force them to do so, then so be it.